Environmental Assessment
Forward looking statement cautionary note.
Much of the information contained in this report is
forward-looking information based on current expectations
and plans that involve risks and uncertainties.
Some of the forward-looking information relates to
scenarios that seek to predict future environmental
rules and regulations, Southern Company’s ability to
address those rules and regulations in a cost effective
manner, solutions for addressing such rules and regulations,
costs involved in addressing those rules and
regulations, and continued economic growth in
Southern Company’s service territory. Southern
Company cautions that there are certain factors that
can cause actual results to differ materially from the
forward-looking information that has been provided.
The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on
this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee
of future performance and is subject to a number
of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are
outside the control of Southern Company; accordingly,
there can be no assurance that such suggested
results will be realized.
The following factors, in addition to those discussed in Southern Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and subsequent securities filings, could cause results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: the impact of recent and future federal and state regulatory change, including legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding deregulation and restructuring of the electric utility industry, and also changes in environmental, tax and other laws and regulations to which Southern Company and its subsidiaries are subject, as well as changes in application of existing laws and regulations; current and future litigation, regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries, including the pending Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) civil actions against certain Southern Company subsidiaries; the effects, extent and timing of the entry of additional competition in the markets in which Southern Company’s subsidiaries operate; variations in demand for electricity and gas, including those relating to weather, the general economy and population and business growth (and declines); available sources and costs of fuels; ability to control costs; advances in technology; state and federal rate regulations and the impact of pending and future rate cases and negotiations; internal restructuring or other restructuring options that may be pursued; potential business strategies, including acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses, which cannot be assured to be completed or beneficial to Southern Company or its subsidiaries; the ability to obtain new short- and long-term contracts with neighboring utilities; the direct or indirect effect on Southern Company’s business resulting from terrorist incidents and the threat of terrorist incidents; interest rate fluctuations and financial market conditions and the results of financing efforts, including Southern Company’s credit ratings; the ability of Southern Company and its subsidiaries to obtain additional generating capacity at competitive prices; and catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes or other similar occurrences. Southern Company and its subsidiaries expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking information.